The Best Flowers for a May Wedding, According to Experts

If you're having a spring wedding, you're definitely choosing a prime time for florals. And if you're tying the knot in May? You've found the sweet spot: You'll have your pick of the garden and at a fraction of the price. After all, April showers bring May flowers, and the florals that blossom during this springtime month are some of the sumptuous and most beautiful blooms of the year—and they're at their most affordable during their natural seasonal peak. You don't have to take our word for it: Scroll through a few photos of peonies, lily of the valley, sweet pea, ranunculus, and tulips, and you'll quickly notice that May flowers are just a touch better than the rest. These are blooms that will instantly make your nuptials pop.

That said, since sorting through a list of flowers, and then deciphering if they're in-season for May and right for your wedding style, can be a bit overwhelming, we thought it might be best if we did the legwork for you. To help make your wedding-planning process a little easier, we consulted with a few wedding florists to highlight the best May flowers that are in-season for your spring nuptials. Use this guide to help you achieve a floral-filled celebration.

Allium

Looking for an unexpected May wedding flower for your spring nuptials? Put allium on your radar, says florist Maxine Owens. These flowers fall under the same genus as onions, garlic, shallots, and chives, and their whimsical round orbs—which you'll find primarily in tones of white and purple—make them perfect additions to bouquets, ceremony aisle arrangements, and centerpieces alike. They'll add a pop of intrigue to your spring wedding flowers, guaranteed.

Clematis

According to Erice McNeff, the florist behind Everbloom Floral Design, clematis, a vining bloom that bursts into color during May, is an in-season flower you should put on your radar if you're planning on hosting a bright event in the springtime. "It's probably the best time for couples who want color in their wedding, because color is so available," she adds.

Lily of the Valley

A favorite for royal bouquets, these delicate, little blooms also work well in small and low centerpieces for every type of wedding. "Lily of the valley is not only my personal favorite flower, but it smells like heaven, and is the quintessential spring bloom," shares flower expert Emily Petros of El Petros Floral. "Embodying spring with a delicate and gentle nature, she is classic and can stand alone in a bouquet (take a look at some of the previous royal weddings). Lily of the valley is in season during spring, which makes it more accessible and brings the overall cost per stem down for U.S. brides. This is one of the most premiere, luxury flowers on the market." Even still, you'll be paying a premium for this flower type: "Lily of the valley is probably the most expensive per stem," affirms McNeff.

Snapdragons

Snapdragons are a lovely choice for those with whimsical aesthetics. Best of all, they come in over 60 colors (though white is usually the most popular hue for weddings) and can be used in a variety of arrangements, from aisle décor to bridal bouquets. Additionally, price-wise, these are on the less-expensive end and a more affordable choice than other May flower options.

Anemone

These graphic, scentless beauties are perfect for everything from classic to romantic and modern arrangements. Though most brides prefer their white variety, they do come in a range of hues, like bright red, pink, magenta, purple, and blue. Try a traditional all-anemone bouquet if that's your vibe, or get a little boho and mix them in with roses and trailing greenery.

Anthurium

Anthuriums are the perfect blooms for a tropical, destination wedding, or for those seeking a "cool-girl" modern arrangement. We especially love them as single arrangements in pastel shades, though they can make a statement no matter which hue you choose, from bright reds to creamy whites.

Garden Roses

"Garden roses exude romance, with heavenly fragrance and abundance of delicate petals," shares Sammy Go of Lambert Floral Studio. They even come in an assortment of hues and can be arranged solo or paired with almost any flower to create a lush, multi-bloom bouquet.

Carnations

Don't turn up your nose to carnations. When used en masse, these guys can really pack a punch for cheap (for instance, in a massive hanging installation). As long as you don't go for the varieties that are dyed in unnatural colors, you're good to go. More specifically, opt for the dusty, muted variety for real modernity.

Lilac

Often seen in shades of lavender, but also available in white, these romantic and sweet-smelling blooms feel fresh from the field. Lilacs are super springy when paired with greenery, and look lovely when tied into a bouquet with a loose silk ribbon.

Sweet Peas

Delicate and ruffled, sweet peas are feminine and have a lovely perfume-like scent. They also come in an enormous range of colors—in fact, they have one of the biggest ranges in the plant kingdom! While they're not the cheapest of flowers (some rare varieties can be very expensive), they aren't nearly as expensive as, say, a peony.

Tulips

"Tulips are a spring staple," says Petros. "They tend to have a personality more than other florals, as they bend and move with the light, creating fun and flirty shapes with their stems. Tulips come in all different shapes and colors; they can easily blend with any color palette, and always add an elevated 'spring' vibe to any design."

Muscari

Though muscari isn't a quintessential May flower, these tiny blooms could easily be your "something blue" for a springtime wedding. "We have come to love muscari for the dainty pop of blue it provides in arrangements," says Go. "They are such cute little flowers; they are so alluring to behold and kids love them. Growing up on the West Coast, we don't often see these growing in the wild, so it's a special treat to incorporate these in arrangements."

Orchids

"Orchids aren't always associated with spring, however, when they are used properly, they can be a great addition to your wedding. A talented floral designer will know how to source unique orchids to fit within a spring wedding—there are tons of colors, textures, and varieties that can help elevate any design," shares Petros. (These varieties include moth orchids, lady luck orchids, and venus slipper orchids.) "Orchids tend to have subtle spotting in each bloom, which can be a great transition flower and add sophistication to enhance a spring color palette," adds the floral designer.

Peonies

Peonies are a flower that everyone loves, even with their hefty price tag. As Petros puts it, "Peonies are always a crowd pleaser with their glorious size, shape, and scent. When asked what someone's favorite flower is, I often hear 'peony'; however, we all know how 'hard-to-get' they can be."

The florist further shares, "If you are hoping to have peonies in your wedding, there are only a few times per year that would be ideal; spring, of course, is the best time. They are in season, which means they are abundant, which brings their overall cost down; peonies are always impactful, so take advantage of the spring seasonal favorite!"

Roses

Standard roses are another classic bloom that will never go away. They work well with other flowers, in both centerpieces and bouquets, but can always be used in mono-bloom arrangements. "Roses are a year-round staple bloom. Standard roses are easy to come by throughout the year and act as a great base for most wedding designs," explains Petros.

Smokebush

Not commonly known to the public, smokebush is a plant that couples should consider for rustic or vintage-inspired nuptials. "The plumes of this shrub resemble pillowy puffs of smoke, in a range of shades from plum and maroon to apricot pink," Go says. "They are textural and bold while being delicate and ephemeral. Guests will always ask florists to ID smokebush when we use them."

Foxglove

"Foxglove feels so charmingly whimsical; when you see them in an arrangement, you imagine they're actively growing and a million fairies live in their bell-shaped flowers," shares Go. "Visually, they provide graphic contrast to other spring flowers that have more circular or spherical silhouettes. I also love that their stems will bend towards the light, creating an elegant line."